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Engr. Kevin Lester Lobo successfully defends his Master's Thesis
Mecaelah Palaganas • January 20, 2024
Engr. Kevin Lester Lobo, a Master of Science in Energy Engineering student and a scholar of
DOST-ERDT, successfully defended his thesis titled
"Transitioning into an Optimal Renewable Energy System with Energy Storage in Island Resorts in the Philippines: A Case Study"
on December 6, 2023.
The defense panel included Prof. Joey D. Ocon, Ph.D.
as the primary adviser, Prof. Carl Michael F. Odulio, Ph.D. as the co-adviser, Prof. Louis Angelo M. Danao, Ph.D.
as the Chair, and Dr. DJ Donn C. Matienzo
as the reader.
Diesel power plants have historically dominated off-grid electrification in the Philippines, posing challenges in reliability, cost, and environmental impact. Engr. Lobo's study addresses this by proposing an optimal energy system transition for two case study island resorts in Malapascua Island, Cebu,
and Boracay Island, Aklan. The proposed configuration includes Solar PV, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS),
and Hydrogen Energy Storage System (HESS).
Results from energy system optimization reveal that the Hybrid Renewable Energy System (HRES) configuration, integrating Solar PV/BESS/Grid/Diesel Generator, offers the lowest Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) for both case study resorts. This translates to a notable improvement of 7.5% for CS1 and 0.769% for CS2 compared to the current LCOE. Post-simulation analysis and sensitivity scenarios consistently support the superiority of the HRES configuration.
Engr. Lobo's innovative research was not only recognized through successful thesis defense but also showcased at the international conference on Sustainable Energy and Green Technology (SEGT) 2023
in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam,
held last December 2023. These highlights the significance of his work in advancing sustainable energy solutions for island resorts in the Philippines.
LEE research staff and graduate students participated in an in-house training and workshop on the Python for Power Systems Analysis (PyPSA) toolbox on October 9 and 23, 2024 . The sessions were led by Arizeo Salac (SRS 1, ElectriPHI), who returned from a six-month research sandwich program at the Reiner Lemoine Institute in Berlin, Germany , where he focused on data-driven decision-making and energy systems modeling. The training included a detailed discussion on energy systems modeling, with key topics such as data sources and the representation of energy systems using both conventional and renewable technologies. Participants received hands-on assistance with the software setup and installation, followed by simulation activities that showcased PyPSA’s capabilities in energy and power systems analysis. Mr. Salac also presented his baseline model of the Philippine energy system, which can be utilized for energy transition scenario planning. The event aimed to enhance participants' proficiency with open-source modeling tools, share best practices in modeling, and support their research in energy systems. Article by: Sophia Lunor
Prof. Joey D. Ocon, Dr. Julie Anne D.R. Paraggua, Dr. Lawrence Limjuco, and Giancarlo Sanglay were among the Filipino delegates at the 2nd ASEAN Battery Technology Conference , held from August 21 to 23, 2024 , at the Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa in Singapore. Themed "Powering ASEAN: Innovating the Future of Battery," the event was co-organized by key ASEAN associations from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. They were accompanied by LEE member and graduate student, Giancarlo Sanglay and NextGen Project Chief Technical Specialist, Dr. Lawrence Limjuco, of the Advanced Batteries Center. The conference aimed to foster connections among researchers, engineers, and industry stakeholders within the battery and electric vehicle (EV) sectors. It provided a platform for knowledge exchange, technical discussions, and potential collaborations. Key topics included the development of the Battery and EV Roadmap for Southeast Asia, as well as government policies and regulations surrounding battery and energy storage systems (ESS) applications. Industry leaders and academic experts also addressed technological advancements in battery materials, financial support for innovations, and strategies for managing the end-of-life value chain of batteries. Prof. Ocon, who also serves as Co-Founder of Nascent Batteries, played an active role in the event by moderating a panel discussion on advancing ESS technologies in Asia. The panel featured representatives from prominent organizations, including EDP Renewables APAC, Green Tenaga Pte Ltd, and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand. This collaborative event underscored the region's commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions and highlighted the critical role of ASEAN countries in driving innovation within the battery and EV industries. Article by: Lora Monique Sapanta
The Laboratory of Electrochemical Engineering (LEE) held a despedida party to bid farewell to two of its active members — Ms. Rosela Lazaro and Asst. Prof. Michael Castro — as they embark on a new chapter of their academic journey. The LEE members, along with their laboratory head, Prof. Joey D. Ocon, celebrated through a friendly competition at the Ever Gotesco Bowling Alley, Commonwealth Avenue last August 19, 2024. This also fostered camaraderie and strengthened the bond and friendship between the lab members. Ms. Lazaro will be studying MS in Environmental Science and Engineering at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea. Meanwhile, Asst. Prof. Castro will be pursuing a doctorate degree in Nuclear Engineering and Management at the University of Tokyo, Japan. He will be returning to UP Diliman to tend to his duties at the Department of Chemical Engineering. Indeed, ‘goodbyes’ are not the end. It marks a beginning of a new ‘hello’, a step closer to making dreams come true. To Sir Michael, ganbatte! To Sela, hwaiting! We are all rooting for you both! Article by: Lora Monique Sapanta
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